Mandela Month: Child Play Therapy Room launched in Mitchells Plain Local Office

As part of our Mandela Month commemorations and in the run-up to Mandela Day, the Western Cape Department of Social Development launched an innovative Child Play Therapy Room at the Mitchells Plain local office.

The launch was attended by Western Cape Member of the Provincial Parliament, Daylin Mitchell.

This R34 000 facility, the third in the province, is a specialised counselling room which is equipped children’s toys, educational material and specialized dolls.

This plays a critical role in enabling specialist Child Protection social workers to assist children who have been physically, emotionally and/or sexually abused. It creates a safe space for children to express themselves, including reporting serious crimes that they may have witnessed.

Play Therapy is an innovative counselling technique used by social workers to communicate with and help children to prevent or resolve psychosocial challenges.

The facility is based at the DSD Mitchells Plain local office, which will continue to render specialist services to the community, including;

• child care and protection services,
• probation services,
• substance abuse interventions,
• And family and parenting support services to the surrounding community.
• Services to people with disabilities and older persons.

We encourage the public to seek social work assistance by visiting this or any of our DSD local offices, or by contacting the DSD hotline on 0800 220 250.